Dirt Cheap Tunes

A while back I posted about this site where we buy our music. Well they recently lowered their prices from $.19 per song to  $.01 per song. When we get back home we'll be loading up on music.

Listen Up

Nick Drake is the original master of chill music. His songs have a timeless feel inspite of being recorded over 30 years ago. I first heard his music on a VW commercial (of all places) and promptly fell in love.

Listen up here.

And one more just because.

My Christmas Wish....

...came true.

Baby #2 debuting in late July

Listen Up

Jaymay tells stories with her music...it's honest and compelling stuff.

Listen up here.

Christmas Dinner

True to the F. family way we celebrate special occasions whenever it's convenient. Since we plan to drive to Northern California on the 24th the 23rd has become Christmas Eve and the 24th will be Christmas morning. So much the better for Sage with one less day to wait.

We're having a special little dinner on Tuesday night: Cheese Fondue and Deep Dark Chocolate Tart (they'll be some greens somewhere in that meal too).

This pie is a favorite around here. No added sugar, whole wheat crust but still delicious and rich as can be.

Deep Dark Chocolate Tart

½ cup whole milk
7 ounces finely chopped bittersweet chocolate (we use 77%)
1 large egg yolk
7.5 ounces crème fraîche (I buy it at Trader Joe's)
1 Whole Wheat Pastry Shell

Lightly whip egg yolk with the crème fraîche and set aside. Bring milk to a boil, stirring continuously. Turn off heat and add chocolate to milk. Stir mixture until chocolate is completely melted. Slowly add egg and crème fraîche mixture to chocolate mixture and stir until thoroughly mixed. Place chocolate mix in pastry shell and place in preheated oven at 325° oven for 25 minutes.

Remove tart from oven and cool to room temperature. Chill in refrigerator for at least one hour before serving.

Favor....

Anyone have one of these we can borrow over Christmas break? We've got a long drive ahead of us and Sage would love to pass the time watching "Little House on the Prairie" (she's a big fan).

Listen Up

These Irish boys call themselves The Thrills...and thrill me they do. I love their melodies and indie vibe.

Listen up here.

Fairy or Scary?

Sage still says her "s" sound like an "f." So "school" becomes "fool" and "scary" becomes "fairy."

We recently bought a book of Fairy Tales and they are definitely frightening....a delicious kind of frightening. Sage loves them and requests them every day.

I still have to wonder though if she's asking for "scary tales" or "fairy tales."

Listen Up

You remember Lauryn Hill. She made 1 fantastic album and then dropped out of sight. I listened to that album constantly on my little Discman (remember those?) walking to and from BYU each day.

Now and then a new song of hers pops up on a soundtrack...this is one of them.

Listen up here.

Another Early Christmas Gift

From Shane (picked out by me).

A Reminder

early christmas for sage

These babies arrived yesterday (thanks Grandma Mia!).

I wish they came in my size.

Listen Up

The Bourne Identity is a great movie and it has a fabulous alternate ending that many people don't know about. Not only is the ending great but it's made even better by the Joseph Arthur song playing in the background.

Listen up here.

P.S. If you want to see the alternate ending go here.

Listen Up *Flashback*

Long ago in high school (it's been a decade...yikes!) I listened to a band called Soul Coughing. I recently discovered that I still love them.

Listen up here.

Turkey Day

I love a good feast and Thanksgiving is the perfect excuse for going a little crazy. Here's what we'll be making and then chowing on:

Appetizers

• Hummus
• Christmas Guacamole
• Beduinos (bacon wrapped dates)
  

The Real Feast

• Brined Turkey (soaked overnight in salt water)
• Cornbread Stuffing w/Sausage & Apples
• Sweet Potato & Carmelized Onion Casserole
• Feather Light Overnight Whole Wheat Rolls
• Green Beans w/Almonds & Thyme
• Lemon-Cranberry Sauce
• Spinach & Persimmon Salad
  

Grand Finale

• Roasted Sweet Potato Cheesecake
• Paper Bag Apple Pie ala mode
• Pumpkin Pie

Sage and I are going to be cooking up a storm these next two days.

Magic

Yesterday Emily let me come to her birth and be her doula. She was amazing and so strong; she gave birth completely naturally.

That moment when baby Lincoln emerged from his watery home was pure magic.

I think I'm hooked.

Ha!

Anyone seen the ridiculous High Fructose Corn Syrup commercials? If not watch this:



Then watch this one that pokes fun at the HFCS commercial (Shane and I had a good laugh):

Food for the Soul

I miss living near a walking city. Growing up there was D.C. and then there was San Francisco during our first year of marriage. I miss the city...the soaring architecture, fabulous museums and the crazy people on the streets. But most of all I miss the art. Walking through the National Gallery last week, with my dad, I soaked up the beauty and got my fill of color and shape and light.

Monet

Degas

Listen Up

You've probably heard Howie Day's song "Collide" a bajillion times but I bet you've never heard this one. Love it.

Listen up here.

One of Sage's jobs is to clear her plate after a meal. One night, not too long ago, she hopped down from the table leaving her dish behind.

A: "Sage did you clear your plate?"

S: "I know I did! (walks back to table and sees the plate in question)
But it must have run back to the table!"

{sigh}

Yogi Berra once said, "It ain't over till it's over."

So true.

We waged the good fight on behalf of Prop 8 knowing in our hearts that there would be more to come...I just didn't expect it so soon.

It's been hard to know what's really been going on with protests around CA. A friend sent me this article and it gave me some clarity.

What to do? Some recent words from Robert D. Hales:

"Through the years we learn that challenges to our faith are not new, and they aren’t likely to disappear soon. But true disciples of Christ see opportunity in the midst of opposition.

When we do not retaliate—when we turn the other cheek and resist feelings of anger—we too stand with the Savior. We show forth His love, which is the only power that can subdue the adversary and answer our accusers without accusing them in return. That is not weakness. That is Christian courage."

Amen.

Virginia

My mom's surgery last week gathered us from all around the land to come and care for her. It was wonderful to see everyone after such a long time. Highlights: mom's hugs, debates with dad, I love Lucy and late night talks with my sister Kass, playing with my younger siblings (much younger...10 and 12) and meeting my nephew Levi for the first time!

Levi is always on the move...I slept in the basement
and his clomping was my wake-up call each morning

Little brother Hyrum with Levi

Kass and her little one, Elyse, in Georgetown

Love these kiddos

Naked is how Levi spends most of his days.
It works...this little guy goes in the potty and he's not even 2!

Hyrum and I became good buds over the week.
We played football, did yard work, cooked, shopped and read together.
Here we're working on a chocolate cake for his birthday.

Dad observing art in DC

Sorry no pictures of you Mom and Lillian!

Listen Up

Zach Gill, front man for ALO, just put out his first solo album. He's a musical jack of all trades...unaffected vocal stylings and amazingly talented on piano, ukelele and accordion. I love his upbeat lyrics and zany sense of humor.

Listen up here.

Listen Up

The end credits from the movie In America roll with a beautiful song- "Time Enough for Tears" co-written by Bono (of U2) and written/sung by the lovely Andrea Corr (of The Corrs). I am mesmerized by this song and put it on repeat every time I listen.

Listen up here.

Halloween

Door decor courtesy of Sage...notice she gave her witch a smiley face

A trip to the pumpkin farm...we took a wagon ride

There was a petting zoo too

Murder Mystery Party
UPS driver and secretary--we met on the job of course
(thanks for the duds C. and for the great party M!)

Carving the pumpkin

Can you tell who's mom is the make-up artist?

What the....?

All done for the night

The loot...she spread it all out and gloated over the sugary goodness

Just like last year Sage got to save 3 pieces. She chose a Tootsie Roll Pop, Milk Duds and M&M's. And I'm proud to say that this year, this mama did not salvage candy from the trash after her toddler went to bed.

To My AP Government Teacher

Dear Mr. Howell,

Remember me? I'm the girl who slept through most every 5th period. Remember that afternoon you pulled me aside after class and asked if I planned on voting when I turned 18? I said that my vote didn't count so why would I bother. And you, Mr. Howell, promised that someday I would find out otherwise.

Someday has come.

In the last few weeks my husband and I (and everyone else we know) have been knocking doors, making phone calls, waving signs at street rallies and writing letters.

Margaret Mead once said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

This year I can't wait to vote YES on Prop 8. I know that my vote matters.

You were right all along Mr. Howell.

Listen Up

Guster. Great harmonies, amazing perucussion (the drummer is unbelievable, beating his bongos and congas like a crazy man) and just all around likeable.

Listen up here.

Our Girl

sage: (noun) : a mentor in spiritual and philosophical topics who is renowned for profound wisdom

a recent observation:

"Do you know what Jesus made? Everything! I think when he was done he had a big drink of water...he was tired."

a conversation with an imaginary friend:

"...he shall grow up as a tender plant out of dry ground..." (that one's from Isaiah)

Shane in the Spotlight: Part 1

Once upon a time during chiro school my sweet hubby Shane was a security guard. At a dark, empty office building.

He sat around in his uniform and studied in total silence. And got paid really well.

His weapon of choice? A flashlight.

His training? "If you see an intruder, RUN!"

Nice.

Prop 8 in Plain English

This video makes Prop 8 crystal clear.

Listen Up

I've been hearing a lot of late about the Aussie singer Lenka. When I finally had a listen she didn't disappoint...her music is bright and innovative and hard to get out of my head.

Listen up here.

Another Year, Another Primary Program

5th year in Primary, 2nd Primary Program written and 1st time I've cried (happy tears).

Phew...I'm ready for a nap.

The Tao of Chris

This is Chris, a kid from church who is currently serving a mission in Ohio. He's quite a character. He wrote us recently and shared this story:

"...I was biking and a woman approached me in her car. She asked me how many wives Joseph Smith had. I told her that I honestly did not know but I will ask ask him when I went to heaven. She said that he did not go to heaven and I told her that she could ask him."

We had a good laugh over that one.

Listen Up

One of Eva Cassidy's albums is entitled Songbird, very fitting for such a lovely voice. She died young and only after her death did people begin to hear her music. Her albums are mainly covers and the way she interprets those songs is a wonderful thing.

Listen up here.

We're Voting "Yes" on Prop 8 for Sage

1. Because we don't want to her to learn the mechanics of homosexuality at school.

2. Because we want her to enjoy the same freedom we enjoy...to belong to a religion that is free to teach and practice it's beliefs.

3. Because we want her to marry someday in a world where marriage between a man and woman is honored.

4. And most importantly because, “The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother..." (The Family: A Proclamation to the World)